# How to make a Mac stop playing music after a timer > Set a timer in the Clock app and choose Stop Playing in the When timer ends menu, so music or video stops on its own, for example before you sleep. Canonical: https://www.notchstar.com/tips/stop-music-with-a-timer-on-mac/ Last updated: 2026-11-04 Published 2026-11-04. Yes, the Clock app can stop audio or video when a timer ends. Set a custom timer, open the When timer ends pop up menu, and choose Stop Playing, which sits at the bottom of the sound list. Press Start, and your music or video stops when the time is up. ## Steps 1. Open the Clock app on your Mac. 2. Click **Timers** at the top of the window, or choose **View > Timers**. 3. Set a custom timer, for example 30 minutes. 4. Click the **When timer ends** pop up menu and choose **Stop Playing**. It is at the bottom of the sound list. 5. Click **Start**. Start your music or video before or after you set the timer. When the countdown reaches zero, playback stops. ## Good uses People use this to fall asleep to a podcast, to stop a video playlist during a meal, or to limit a long listening session. It saves you from leaving audio running all night. ## What it does not do Apple's page describes Stop Playing as stopping audio or video. It does not say the Mac sleeps or shuts down afterwards. A Mac that is still on will keep the display and battery in use. If you want the Mac itself to sleep, choose Sleep from the Apple menu once the music has stopped. ## If the music does not stop Check three things. First, confirm you chose Stop Playing and not a sound. Second, make sure the timer is running in the Timers list. Third, remember that a timer can stop what the Mac plays, but not a second device such as a speaker with its own source. ## From the notch You can start and watch a timer from NotchStar's [Timers tool](https://www.notchstar.com/features/timers/), and the Home tab shows the song playing with previous, play or pause and next buttons (see [Now Playing](https://www.notchstar.com/features/now-playing/)). NotchStar's timer ends with a finish sound that you choose, or no sound. It does not stop other apps playing, so for a sleep timer use the Clock app's Stop Playing option. ## Quick answers. ### Does Stop Playing put the Mac to sleep? Apple's Clock guide describes Stop Playing as stopping audio or video. It does not say it sleeps or shuts down the Mac. ## Keep reading. - [Timer, stopwatch and Pomodoro in the notch](https://www.notchstar.com/features/timers/): A timer, stopwatch and Pomodoro with session tracking, always one hover away in the Mac notch. It keeps counting while the notch is closed. - [Now playing, with real album art](https://www.notchstar.com/features/now-playing/): See the song playing on your Mac with album artwork and controls in the notch. Live updates, and a progress bar when the player provides one. - [How to set a timer on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/how-to-set-a-timer-on-mac/): Open the Clock app, click Timers, set the time and click Start. Steps for pausing, naming and repeating timers, and what happens when your Mac sleeps. - [How to control music from the menu bar on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/control-music-from-the-menu-bar-on-mac/): Add the Now Playing control to the menu bar in System Settings, then pause, skip or go back from any app. Steps, options and what it cannot do. ## More in Timers and focus. - [How to set a timer on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/how-to-set-a-timer-on-mac/): Open the Clock app, click Timers, set the time and click Start. Steps for pausing, naming and repeating timers, and what happens when your Mac sleeps. - [How to use the Pomodoro technique on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/pomodoro-technique-on-mac/): Run 25 minute focus blocks with short breaks on a Mac using the Clock app and a Focus, and see when a dedicated Pomodoro timer is easier. - [How to use a stopwatch on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/use-stopwatch-on-mac/): Open Clock, click Stopwatch, press Start, Lap and Stop. Switch between digital and analog faces, and know that timing continues if the Mac sleeps. - [How to run more than one timer on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/run-several-timers-on-mac/): Add timers in the Clock app with Custom Timer or Presets, name each one, give it a sound, and see all of them at once. Steps and limits. - [How to stop notifications while you focus on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/focus-without-notifications-on-mac/): Turn on Do Not Disturb in Control Center or create a Focus in System Settings, choose who and what can get through, and schedule it by time or app. - [How to open the Clock timer from the Mac menu bar](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/open-the-clock-timer-from-the-menu-bar-on-mac/): Click the time in the menu bar, then the Clock widget, to start a timer or stopwatch faster. Also how to keep a timer visible while you work.